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WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — Robert Crimo III is pleading guilty in the Highland Park 4th of July Parade shooting.
Opening statements were set to begin at 9 a.m., but before that even got underway, Crimo’s attorney announced that he would be changing his plea.
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Last year, he pleaded not guilty last year and rejected a plea deal.
He pleaded guilty minutes into the day to 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder.
Judge Victoria Rossetti then asked Crimo a series of questions about this major decision, including asking about any meds he taking, if he understands the time he will likely be facing if he pleads guilty and if he was forced to enter this plea.
He provided single yes and no answers in a rather monotone manner.
Ashley Beasley, who was at the parade with her son, reacts to Robert Crimo III’s guilty plea.
Judge Rossetti even told him, “You can have a trial…you don’t have to do this.”
He acknowledged that, but maintained his guilty plea.
The judge said he faces seven natural life sentences for the first-degree murder changes and so much more for the attempted murder charges after those life sentences.
Ashley Beasley and her son were at the parade when the shooting took place She says the guilty plea came as a major surprise but also a relief.
“I think there is a huge collective feeling of relief,” Beasley said. “Our community wanted justice.”
The victims range in age from eight to 88 years old.
A sentencing hearing is set for April 23 at 9 a.m.
About the victims
The victims killed range in age from 8 to 88 years old.
- Katherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park
- Irina McCarthy, 35, of Highland Park
- Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park
- Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park
- Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park
- Nicolas Toledo-Zargoza, 78 of Morelos, Mexico
- Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan
Irina and Kevin McCarthy’s 2-year-old son was found wandering alone in the wake of the Monday, and safely reunited with his grandparents.
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